Chromosome aberrations, in particular translocations and their corresponding gene fusions, have been shown to play an important role in the initial steps of tumorigenesis. The identification of gene fusions shows promise for playing an important role in personalized cancer treatment decisions in the future. Many rare gene fusion events have been identified in fresh-frozen solid tumors from common cancers, by next-generation sequencing technology. However, the ability to detect transcripts from gene fusions in RNA isolated from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissues has been limited, due to the low complexity of FFPE libraries and the associated bioinformatics challenges.

Simple, accurate fusion detection

In collaboration with the OncoNetwork Consortium, we have developed a research method that simplifies the detection of chromosomal translocations. Designed for simplicity and efficiency and to work with limited sample input, this method delivers sensitive, reliable results with ultralow input of FFPE RNA, enabling you to detect fusion transcripts in less than 1% tumor RNA in the presence of 99% normal RNA.

Based on Ion AmpliSeq™ technology, our fusion detection workflow is simple, with reduced cost and complexity compared with alternative fusion detection methods such as whole-transcriptome sequencing and FISH. Based on simple PCR, Ion AmpliSeq™ technology uses high-multiplexing capabilities to enable you to find and view many fusions in a single run. This targeted sequencing approach focuses the sequencing on fusion junctions, increasing the depth of sequencing on informative regions of fusion transcripts. This enables higher sensitivity of detection and greater sequencing efficiency to save both time and money.